*:T. 69.] TO R. W. CHURCH. 693 



I wait with great interest your volume on Phyto- 

 graphy. You will see that in my new " Text-Book " 

 we are quite in accord. I agree with you about new 

 and useless terms, and the execrable taste of the 

 Germans. 



I am very strong, and can climb a mountain as 

 well as ever, only I lose breath except I move slowly 

 in the ascent. 



Memory rather fails ; otherwise I have at near 

 sixty-nine all my faculties in fair condition. 



It has happened that I have visited Europe every 

 eleven years. According to that you should see me 

 next year ! I cannot promise ; but I am always 

 affectionately yours, ASA GRAY. 



TO R. W. CHURCH. 



November 11, 1879. 



I forgot to ask if you, or your friend Lord Blach- 

 ford, knew Arthur James Balfour, M. P., author of 

 "A Defense of Philosophic Doubt," published re- 

 cently by Macmillan ? 



It is the most masterly essay I have seen of late 

 years, and I should like to know who the man is, and 

 what you think of his book. 



I have been drawn into promising, in an unguarded 

 moment, to give two lectures to the theological class 

 of Yale College (our oldest university after Harvard) 

 some time in the course of the winter, on Science and 

 Religion ; a topic which calls for wise speaking. I 

 am not very hopeful, but still I have an idea I may 

 do some good. I wish you were in reach, that we 

 might talk over the subject. . . . 



